Pit bull rescue group seeks tough penalty for accused abuser

A dog rescue group says that a Sterling Heights woman’s misdemeanor charges for allegedly starving her two pets don’t go far enough in potentially punishing her.

Lisa Marie Precourt, 18, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of animal neglect, accused of failing to take care of two American Pit Bull Terriers. Both were rescued by Detroit Bully Corps and taken to a veterinarian. One dog, “Angel,” died, and “Shiner” has recovered.

Bill Bellottie, president of DBC, said Precourt needs to be held accountable and charged with felony animal cruelty, punishable by up to four years in prison, and face time behind bars.

“According to Michigan law, animals are property, but we feel that animals are much more than that,” Bellottie said. “You can get in more trouble going into your neighbor’s garage and stealing their lawn mower than killing a dog.

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“She is 18 years old. If she doesn’t face consequences, what kind of human being is she going to become. … She went onto craigslist to get both dogs. It’s not like they were dumped on her.”

He noted there was dog food in the apartment off Hall Road. Angel, who appears emaciated in photos, ate plastic and cloth-like material to try to stay alive, he said. Angel had surgery but its internal organs had been damaged beyond repair, he said.

Sterling Heights police Lt. Luke Riley said Precourt was charged with the misdemeanors based on the discretion of Macomb prosecutors. Precourt has had to deal with difficult, extenuating circumstances, he said.

Precourt, who graduated in June from Eisenhower High School, faces a Jan. 2 arraignment and pretrial in front of Judge Michael Maceroni in 41A District Court in Sterling Heights. One neglect charge for alleged abuse is punishable by 93 days in jail and the second neglect charge related to the death is punishable by up to one year.

As part of a campaign for tough punishment in the case, DBC set up a separate Facebook page, “Angel & Shiner’s Journey.”

Bellottie said Michigan has among the strongest animal-abuse laws in the country. “But getting municipalities to enforce them is a whole other ballgame,” he said.

He said he would like to see dogs given “living, breathing status in the law.”

There have been several animal abuse or death cases in Macomb County in recent years. Defendants have received mixed punishment.

Most recently, Roman Laba of Sterling Heights pleaded no contest in February to animal killing or torture for stabbing to death a pet dog at his home in January 2011. He was sentenced to 18 months probation and 60 hours of community service. The sentencing guideline range was from probation up to 17 months in prison, and Judge Edward Servitto of Macomb County Circuit Court agreed to a sentencing that avoided incarceration.

Meanwhile, Keith J. Parker was sentenced to 90 days in jail by Judge John Chmura of 37th District Court for dragging his leashed dog with his car in Warren in November 2011. The dog was injured. He pleaded guilty to drunken driving and animal neglect, both 93-day misdemeanors.

Detroit Bully Corps, based in Scio Township west of Ann Arbor, is awaiting nonprofit federal status, said Bellottie, who runs the rescue with his wife, Missi. Its mission is to save, rehabilitate and provide adoption of “bully breeds,” primarily pit bulls and breeds raised as pit bulls, he said.

Formed in March 2011, it has rescued about 60 dogs total, of which 18 had to be euthanized due to their inability to be rehabilitated, he said. DBC currently is filled to capacity with 32 dogs, he said.

Despite many reports over the years of pit bulls harming people, Bellottie said they are as peaceful as other breeds, and many years ago served as a work dog. But owners sometimes raise them wrong, sometimes for fighting, making them mean and dangerous, he said.

“It’s a plain ol’ dog, no worse or better than any other breed,” he said.